We all been asked this question. It’s the question that proves whether or not we’re actual humans and not some robots that aren’t capable of anything else than passing college and sleeping. It’s proof that we’re fun, relatable, likable people that are you would totally want to be friends with- and that question is:
What are your hobbies?
While people at this point have these elaborate interests and hobbies that they have developed over the years, like collecting Star Wars memorabilia, scrapbooking, knitting, I’ve come to realize that I have no such thing. The question whose answer should be second nature to me at this point usually leaves me in a frenzy to come up with something– ANYTHING– because anything is better than the reality.
The truth is, my hobby is watching being a TV junkie.
Hours of my time are spent plopping myself in front of my TV, laptop, or rolling on my bed with my phone on my bed, and working my way through my list of must see movies, TV shows that I’m addicted to, and guilty pleasure YouTube videos. It’s come to the point where I’m that obnoxious person whose seen every movie anyone suggests on movie night, the one who obsesses over the Oscars year after year (and that also Not for the red carpet dresses), who needs to control herself to not talk about movies in risk of ruining the plot, and who in general talks about movies that none of her friends ever, and ever will, watch.
Movies have a special place in my life, but, the reality is, movies weren’t always this whimsical for me. I had a life outside the world of television.
I guess, it all started in middle school. I never really gave any attention to the Oscars before then, but when the 2009 Oscars were on TV, I, having nothing better to do, watched- and it was then that I couldn’t help but be amazed at the awards show. The scenes filled with passion and suspense that were used a clips during the show, the makeup and costume design, the animation- everything. It was then that I would keep track of the movies in contention for the Oscars every awards circuit, despite being too young to watch 90% of them anyways.
However, my hobby of watching movies over the weekend didn’t start until high school. My dad, whose just as much of a movie junkie as I am now, and always spent his evenings watching some throwback movie or another, decided to share his love for movies with me and pass down a little bit of his TV wisdom. It was then that I watched some of my favorite movies of all time- The Godfather, Back to the Future, The Graduate, Gone Girl, and many more. Therefore, movies have always been a way to bond with family. It gave something more to talk with my dad about.
The Graduate (1967)
Photo Credit: Taken by jdxyw URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdxyw/4910709460
The Godfather (1972)
Photo Credit: Posted by Insomnia Cured Here URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/8646203837
However, bonding isn’t the main reason why I love movies. In reality, its because they transport me to a different world, with characters I love, with beautiful scenery, cinematography, setting, and with a story just dying to be told. Movies inspire me, make me cry, make me laugh, make me think, and more importantly, movies make the fictitious a reality and bring forgotten history back to life.
Also, as a history and culture buff, movies have always been an outlet to learn about a time period and society that I couldn’t be a part of myself. The stylistic choices in movies, the effects and cinematography, how film stars looked back then, are all little sneak peaks to the past- which is something special that only media possesses.
^^ Like most films from Wes Anderson, this film has beautiful cinematography- thus leaving the viewer completely taken away but the aesthetic beauty of the film.
Photo Credit: Posted by James Robert Smith
URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/elderkid/16715537047
^ Probably the most buzzed- about movie this season, La la Land capture its audience through its costumes, scenery, music, and artistic style.
Photo Credit: Taken by BagoGames URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bagogames/29826475976
It’s this connection that I have with movies that propels me continue to watch them and to continue to cherish them. Movies are a medium to go somewhere else and learn something new, and therefore, they will always be special to me, and watching them will always be my ultimate hobby.
Featured Image Photo Credits: The poster artists is unknown. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DetourPoster1.jpg
The post My Hobby as a Movie Junkie appeared first on Culture Shock.
